presenting... The Half

Dirt Dogg & JB are...

THE HALF

The Exclusive IIIrd World Interview and Album Download >>-------->

the Self-Titled Album:

1/2

1. the Daily
2. the Watchout
3. the Classics
4. the Process
5. the Dream
6. the Fountain of Youth

7. the Rotation
8. the Man
9. the Story of My Life
10. the Bar Stool Blues
11. the Push Back
12. the Blaze
13. the Undefeated
14. the Ride

THE HALF - 1/2
DOWNLOAD HERE

-- January 16th, 2010 --

The IIIrd World Crew sits down with the HALF for a short interview and chillings session to discuss their self titled debut project...

the iiird world: where are you guys coming from, physically that is?

DD: "The heart of Madison, Wisconsin."

JB: "Madtown, Wisco, Midwest."


the iiird world: where are you coming from as far as your rapping/beats stylin'?

DD: "As far as beats go, it's all about my Mpc2000xl and some dirty ass vinyl. Honestly, I've just been making it up as I go. I'm not really musically trained or anything like that, but I know what sounds tight. I think that's part of the reason people like our sound, you know the basic means, where it's comin' from. It's based on feeling and movement more than anything else. When it comes to rhyming, it's pretty much the same idea. I'm an on the spot type of writer. I think in both aspects you can see our progression on this album. From "the Fountain of Youth" where I was strictly gonna produce for JB, to "the Undefeated" where I feel like we were really dialed in. You'll see a lot more of that on our second project called "Pushin'", which is coming out sometime soon in 2010."

JB: "Dirt is the man when it comes to beats, he's always bringing something different and funky, shit that I love. My rapping style is lyrical word play combined with a story telling aspect. Right now the story I am trying to tell is the one of us getting started and us getting our name and product out there to the world...but it's basically just some funky party music that people can dance to and have a good time."

the iiird world: what might make you guys different?

DD: "I think it's the fact that on a lot of shit that comes out these days, cats are trying so hard to sound like someone, probably someone they're not. We make straight up hip-hop from the soul. We just make music, plain and simple. That, and our shit is funky, everyone loves funky shit even if they don't know it."

JB: "We stay true to ourselves and don't try to be something we aren't. We like good hip hop that makes you dance, makes you laugh, and makes you think. We don't take ourselves too serious, we just wanna make good music people like."

the iiird world: what other artists would you like to work with?

DD: "Mos Def."

JB: "In Madison: The Crest & Profound, both went to our high school, Profound is a good friend from back in the day. As far as anyone in the World, hmmm Talib, Nas, Common. Basically, cats who we could see lending their ears as well as vibing with us."

the iiird world: who are your top five MC's of all time? this is a tough one (other than Dylon Dylon Dylon Dylon and Dylon, I spit hot fire).

DD: "In no particular order, Ghostface, Rakim, Phonte, KRS-ONE, Big L. Did I say Elzhi? That is a tough one, damn son."

JB: "In order? Damn; Pac, Nas, Hov, Wayne, Talib."

DD: "Pac! Yeah, Pac shoulda been on mine. Somewhere."

the iiird world: favorite producers?

DD: "I'll say Dre, RZA, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, ANT, 9th Wonder. But, lately Black Milk has been on my radar."

JB: "DJ Premier, 9th, Hi-tek, Dre, Dirt."

the iiird world: anything else to say for now???

DD: "Can we smoke in here?"

JB: "This first album is pretty raw in production, hopefully this gets us some exposure so we can make the second with a studio tech dude who has worked with hip hop. Give Madison some love, we have a good hip hop scene and are just waiting for someone to get noticed so others can follow..........why not the One Slash Two???"

For more: The Half's MySpace music page (click here)

more to come, stay tuned here at the iiird world...

(The Half, live at the Annex Nightclub, 12/16/09. photo by K. Amato)

Late Night w/ The Roots (Mixtape)

Christmas comes early and often. I’ve been wanting something like this for quite some time. A nice little collection of performance clips from Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon compiled by DJ Heat. Ludacris, Clipse, Wale, Q-Tip, 50 Cent, Raekwon, Goodie Mob, Black Star, Public Enemy and more rocking with the legendary Roots crew!

While it would be dope if The Roots released something official with the soundboard recordings (ala the Sandwiches EP); this will definitely do.

01 The Roots – How I Got Over (Live)
02 Ludacris – I Do It For Hip Hop / Last Of A Dying Breed (Live)
03 Mos Def – Casa Bey (Live)
04 Beastie Boys – So Whatcha Want (Live)
05 Black Star – History (Live)
06 Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Rock (Live)
07 Ghostface – Baby f. Raheem DeVauaghn (Live)
08 Wale – Pretty Girls (Live)
09 Raekwon – Catalina (Live)
10 50 Cent – Baby By Me / Do You Think About Me (Live)
11 Clipse – Popular Demand f. Black Thought (Live)
12 Clipse – Grindin’ f. Black Thought (Live)
13 Q-Tip – Barely In Love (Live)
14 Goodie Mob – Soul Food (Live)
15 Public Enemy – Bring the Noise (Live)

Download Late Night w/ The Roots (Mixtape)

Check out the Legendary's most recent guest, The Clipse, performing that classic GRINDIN'.



Would it be wrong to call the show "Late Night with the Roots"?

Cookin’ Soul Presents: Game & Jay-Z – The RED Album (Mixtape)

Here goes the latest blend/mash-up tape from the Cookin’ Soul trio. Hosted by Don Cannon.


DOWNLOAD: Cookin’ Soul Presents: Game & Jay-Z – The RED Album

The Apple Juice Kid x Battalion Armour - Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed

The Apple Juice Kid tackles another legend with Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed. The project is a collaboration between AJK and Battalion Armour. Battalion Armour put together a series of six holiday videos featuring six women from six ethnic backgrounds posing to Louis Armstrong, remixed by Apple Juice Kid. The vids are semi-nude and a little racy (check them here). Says Battalion Armour of the project: "I chose Louis Armstrong to provide the soundtrack to the Beautiful Warriors for the whimsical nature of his music and its ability to bridge cultural boundaries with expressions of love. It takes a special type of sound to create the right mood for this ethnically diverse cast of women. The only producer who could give Louis’ music a new twist while respecting the perfection was Apple Juice Kid, who I first met while creating a video for his critically acclaimed Miles Davis Remix album." For AJK's jazz meets hip-hop soundtrack in full, follow me after the jump.

The Apple Juice Kid x Battalion Armour - Beautiful Warriors 2: Louis Armstrong Remixed - Sunshine by treylord

Joell Ortiz & Frequency - Road Kill [Mixtape]

Good week for mixtapes. Helps, cuz I lost about 5 GB of my music when my old macbook failed, but luckily got a new one.

Joell Ortiz fed the internets with a few freestyles while on the road touring with Slaughterhouse and Tech N9ne. He was killing it with vicious song after song. Here is the culmination of all that, this mixtape entitled Road Kill. Joell's mixtape with Novel, Defying The Predictable, will be out in two weeks. Joell will also be releasing Pre Agent in January and his album, Free Agent, in February. As you can see the boy's going hard for 2010.

>>>Download: Road Kill

01. Ortiz In This Bitch (Produced by Frequency)
02. Soldier
03. Taking My Ball
04. Snake Charmer (Produced by Frequency)
05. I Go Off
06. Popular Demand
07. Run This Town
08. Make It Without You
09. Stalker
10. Vinnie Vega (Produced by DJ Green Lantern & 88fingaz)
11. On Tour
12. Big Money
13. 50 For The People (Produced by Frequency)
14. Crime Wave
15. Election Day
16. Happy Birthday Pun
17. Hello Brooklyn
18. Outro

Nneka x J.Period - The Madness (Onye-Ala) [Mixtape]

The wait is finally over, as the Nneka x J.Period mixtape, The Madness (Onye-Ala), is finally here! Enjoy 26 tracks of the Nigerian sensation who is sure to sweep the nation with this incredible music. Features on the tape include M-1 (Dead Prez), Jay Electronica, Zumbi (Zion I), Rakaa (Dilated Peoples), Aceyalone (Freestyle Fellowship), General Steele (Boot Camp Clik) & Talib Kweli. Nneka's first US album, Concrete Jungle, will be in stores February 2nd via Yo Mama/Decon/Epic Records.

Download: Nneka x J.Period - The Madness (Onye-Ala) [Mixtape]

1. Can You Hear? (Intro)
2. Let the Madness Begin (J.Period Exclusive)
3. Wake Up World (Interlude)
4. Wake Up Africa (J.Period Remix)
5. The Uncomfortable Truth
6. Untainted Love feat. Damian Marley (Interlude)
7. Spread Love (Brooklyn to Zion) (J.Period Remix)
8. Human Rights (Interlude)
9. Changes (J.Period Remix) feat. M-1 & General Steele
10. Conscious Lyrics (Interlude)
11. Gypsy/Infamous (J.Period Exclusive)
12. Hip Hop Comes From Africa (Interlude)
13. Walking (J.Period Remix) feat. Jay Electronica
14. In Transit (Interlude)
15. Show Love (J.Period Remix) f. Rakaa (Dilated Peoples) & Aceyalone
16. For the Good of Humanity (Interlude)
17. God of Mercy (J.Period Remix) f. Zumbi (Zion I)
18. Suffri (Nigerian in Berlin Remix) feat. Fela Kuti
19. Perseverance is Character (Interlude)
20. Strength/Kangpe (J.Period Dubplate) f. Big Boi (Outkast)
21. Heartbeat (J.Period Remix) feat. Talib Kweli
22. In the Heart of Man (J.Period Exclusive)
23. Symptoms of My Madness (Outtro)

[ Bonus Mix: J.Period Dubplates ]
24. Mind vs. Heart (J.Period Dubplate) f. 2Pac
25. Changes 2 (J.Period Dubplate) feat. Lauryn Hill & John Forte
26. Walking 2 (J.Period Dubplate) feat. Nas

Nneka - Walking (J.Period Remix) f. Jay Electronica by treylord

The Roots – Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Sandwhiches EP

Check this out. When The Roots enter and leave a commercial break on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, they perform small sets called “sandwiches”. And since joining the show in March, the crew have composed 1,000 of ‘em. This past weekend, drummer ?uestlove compiled 22 of them into a free EP. Can’t beat that.

Here is the tracklist.

01. Once In A Lifetime
02. Sizuuuuuuuurpin
03. Head Slicer
04. Spain (ft. Chick Corea)
05. The Juice of Chicago
06. Baatin
07. Woman
08. Choir Fire
09. Teen Town
10. Cant Keep Headphones on Head
11. Red Toe Nail Bashing
12. Blinded By The Light (No Douche Here)
13. Caveman for Dennis Quaid
14. Wan Cook Soup
15. Someone Is Late To Dentist Appointment
16. I Get Lifted
17. Werewolf Barmitzvah
18. Like This Anna Torv
19. Breezin (ft. George Benson)
20. EvenzarahlikesTHISone
21. The Suits
22. Usher In That Choir

DOWNLOAD: The Roots – Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Sandwhiches EP

Emilio Rojas - The Natural [Mixtape]

So I was listening to my "Recently Added" playlist on my Ipod today, and every other song sounded like a new Talib Kweli album that I didn't remember downloading. I checked it out, and it was Emilio Rojas, a mixtape I had downloaded last week to check out. I'm gonna vouch for this guy. It is damn good. Learn is name, and download this mixtape.

The Natural, presented by DJ Green Lantern, has arrived. Mixtape is used loosely here, because this one plays like an LP. Production on the tape is handled by Keelay & Zaire, DJ Green Lantern, Sean C & LV, BOI-1DA, M-Phazes, Nottz, and more.

Download: Emilio Rojas - The Natural

Okayplayer Kevin Casey mixtape: LIVE FROM New York: 1994-2001

HOTNESS:


New from OKAYPLAYER! A dope NYC compilation for your enjoyment...


46 tracks featuring Deep Cover 98, Flamboyant, Eye For An Eye, John Blaze, Banned From T.V., 10 Crack Commandments, T.O.N.Y. and many more.

DOWNLOAD: Live From New York: 1994-2001 (Mixtape)

Lupe Fiasco “Enemy Of The State: A Love Story” Mixtape

As promised, here is the Thanksgiving mixtape from Lupe Fiasco.

Download it HERE.

1. Intro
2. The National Anthem
3. All The Way Turnt Up
4. Fireman
5. Interlude
6. Angels
7. So Ghetto
8. Say Something
9. Thank You
10. The One
11. Popular Demand
12. Summit On The Summit (HP TV Commercial)

Mick Boogie & Terry Urban Presents Le Da Soul (20 Years of De La Soul)

It’s finally time to unleash the latest mixtape from Mick Boogie & Terry Urban. Dedicated to my favorite hip hop trio of all time. Featuring the likes of Homeboy Sandman, Asheru, Tanya Morgan, Camp Lo, CurT@!n$, Big Pooh, Talib Kweli, ESSO and many more. With production from 6th Sense, The Kickdrums, Apple Juice Kid, Remot, Christian Rich, J. Rawls, etc.



DOWNLOAD: Le Da Soul (20 Years of De La Soul)

Lupe's Mixtape due out Thanksgiving

As I've posted in the past, Lupe was inspired by the snub on the MTV's hottest MCs in the game list, and now is out to prove he's better than everybody. "If it takes three more albums to do it, then so be it. That's what I got left with Atlantic. Three more after Lasers. I'm already done with two. The mixtape is coming Thanksgiving" says Lupe from the red carpet of Diddy's b-day party. A highly motivated Lupe continues: "I'm finnin' to house every single mode and arena I can get into," Fiasco promised. "If y'all had somewhere where it's live performances, I'm finnin to have the best live performances. If it's mixtapes, I'm finnin' to have the best mixtapes. If it's albums again, it's gonna be the best verse. If it's the best dressed, I'm going hard as well." Lupe also mentions that this Thanksgiving day mixtape is untitled as of now and will feature him going in over other MCs' beats.

AdrianHopkins: My First Grad School Mixtape, Because Sharing is Caring

My boy Adrian Hopkins' first mixtape. I can vouche that he's in a league of his own on music, design, literature, etc. You may remember him from a post a while back with him rapping about his quarter-life crisis. I'll repost that vid after the jump. Check out his website though.

I've listened to the mixtape, and it's a ride.

From AdrianHopkins.com:

Earlier this week, I chronicled a bit of the musical selections that provided the soundtrack to my paper-writing adventure. Since sharing is caring, I decided to put those songs into a mix just for you!

I played each of these songs on repeat at least 15 times (Francis & The Lights' cover of Kanye's "Can't Tell Me Nothing" was the undisiputed champion with 164 plays) as I wrote about the influence of Edward Bernays' 1928 book, Propaganda, on the last 80+ years of American mass manipulation and media scholars' discussion thereof.

The tracklisting is below. Click here or on the album cover to download. Enjoy!

1. In My Dreams (Cudder Anthem) - KiD CuDi - 2009
2. The Bells (feat. Patti Labelle & The Bluebelles) - Laura Nyro - 1973
3. Can't Tell Me Nothing - Francis & The Lights - 2008
4. Everybody Touch - J*Davey - 2006
5. Eclipse - Ahmad Jamal - 1974
6. RobertaFlack - Flying Lotus - 2008
7. Paper Chase - Do Or Die - 1996
8. The Rotten Apple - Prodigy (of Mobb Deep) - 2007
9. I Wanna Know - The Foreign Exchange - 2008
10. Baby (You Know I'm Gonna Miss You) - The Montclairs - 1972
11. (Love) Lock Down - Rashid Hadee - 2009

B.o.B Presents The Features (Mixtape)

My dude B.o.B (a.k.a. Bobby Ray) is back at it again with the help of the cats at 2dopeboyz. B.o.B's label, Atlantic, has a full out campaign set for The Adventures of Bobby Ray (which is scheduled for an April release). I’ve said it countless times and will continue to do so, this man is one of the most talented artists doing it right now. And I’m glad to inform ya’ll that there is a huge record on the horizon and a single dropping sometime this month.

This mixtape is a compilation of his best tunes so far, made by 2dopeboyz.

Download: B.o.B Presents the Features

new WIZ KHALIFA mixtape

DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar Presents...

Wiz Khalifa – Burn After Rolling Mixtape

November 2, 2009

Dope new mixtape from Wiz Khalifa, Burn After Rolling, with DJ Ill Will and DJ Rockstar. Probably one of the best mixtape-covers i've seen in a while. kinda funny.
01. B.A.R.
02. Gettin’ Up
03. Take Yo Bitch (feat. NeakO & Young Jerz)
04. The Thrill
05. One Way
06. Miles
07. If I Were A Lame
08. Meet New People
09. Weekend (feat. NeakO)
10. Young Khalifa
11. Knock U Down
12. On Tha Pill
13. When U Find
14. Mafia Music (Remix)
15. Say U Will
16. Timeless
17. Won’t Land
18. Ode To Naked Pop Stars
19. All My Life Freestyle
20. Great To Be There (Outro)

DOWNLOAD: DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar Presents Wiz Khalifa – Burn After Rolling

The Kickdrums - There Might Be Blood [EP]

A couple days late, but here's The Kickdrums new Halloween themed EP, There Might Be Blood. The Cleveland duo give you 7 free tracks with this project, but if you want to support you can purchase it on iTunes as well. Plenty of more new content from the Kickdrums is on the way.

Download: There Might Be Blood

01. Revelation In Slow Motion
02. Walking Dream
03. Robot Rage
04. Watch For White Noise
05. Killing Yourself To Live
06. Merry Go Round
07. Somewhere A Mountain Is Moving

Chiddy Bang W/ Black Thought, The Swelly Express Mixtape

Straight out of the Illadelph emerges the duo Chiddy Bang, who were discovered by Black Thought who bumped into them at a train station. Says Thought, who is Executive Producing their forthcoming album, "I saw potential in the youthfully expressive wit of Chidera's (lead MC) rhyme-style, and I was feeling their live performance." In case you missed them open for The Roots earlier this year at the Highline for The Roots Jam Session, or at The Roots Picnic, here's their latest offering in the form of a mixtape. Self-described, "The Swelly Express is the true story of two college kids (Chidera Anamege and Xaphoon Jones) from Philly who rocked some parties at Drexel and quickly gained the attention of "the industry." The music and lyrics were inspired by many boring trips on the Chinatown bus (they have wifi now!) on the way to meet "big wigs" in NYC. After a bunch of nice dinners and some free drinks for these 2 underage kids, Chiddy Bang decided to make a mixtape. Enjoy!" The mixtape is presented by Black Thought, Anthony Martini, and Crush Management. Listen to "Slow Down," featuring Black Thought and Eldee The Don, then download the full mix below. Trust me, these cats will blow up quick.



Download Chiddy Bang's The Swelly Express


The Swelly Express tracklisting:

1. I Get Up In The Morning
2. Never
3. Danger Zone
4. Fresh Like Us
5. Now U Know feat. Jordan Brown
6. Welcome To Major Label Inc Skit
7. Truth feat. Passion Pit
8. Meet Mike Hoffman
9. Pro Freestyle
10. Awesome Skit
11. Dream Chasin
12. Silver Screen
13. Slow Down feat. Black Thought and Eldee The Don
14. Decline
15. Call Skit
16. The Opposite of Adults
17. Voicemail Skit
18. All Things Go

Credits to OkayPlayer.com

Lil Cease "Junior Mafia - Lost Files" Mixtape

Check out this Lil Cease release of the Junior Mafia - Lost Files. For those of ya'll who don't remember, they were made up of Lil' Cease, Notorious B.I.G., Lil Kim, MC Klepto, Banger, Nino Brown, Kayla Gardner, Jaren Clark, Carmine Nevills, Trife, and Chico Del Vec.

Download Lil Cease - Junior Mafia - Lost Files

Junior Mafia - Lost Files | Download New Hip Hop Mixtapes & Rap Mixtapes > HipHopDX.com

MeLo-X - Mustafa's Renaissance Mixtape

DJ/MC/Producer MeLo-X just debuted his mixtape, Mustafa's Renaissance. Most of the tracks off the tape were produced by MeLo, and it also features appearances from Nikki Ntu, Theophilus London, Jesse Boykins III, Mickey Factz, and more.

Download: MeLo-X - Mustafa's Renaissance

Lil' Weezy's Halloween Treat: No Ceilings Mixtape

Hello ALL )>>>
We all kinda saw it coming over the last couple of weeks - there were a few hot leaks with references to "No Ceilings". Wayne is at it again. Today the entire mixtape was leaked (i like that word, but i don't know if it was really "leaked"...). Shot out to karencivil and 2dopeboyz for dropping it out there. My favorite track, as mentioned late last week on the iiiird world blog, is "Wasted" with the reference to the Catalina Wine Mixer from the movie Step Brothers. There are a bunch of hot tracks on this tape!

01 Swag Surfin’
02 Ice Cream Paint Job
03 D.O.A.
04 Interlude
05 Wasted
06 Watch My Shoes
07 Break Up f. Gudda Gudda & Short Dawg
08 Banned From TV
09 Throw It In The Bag (rmx)
10 I Think I Love Her f. Tyga & Shanell
11 Interlude 2
12 Wetter
13 I’m Good f. T-Streets
14 Make Her Say f. Jae Millz
15 Run This Town
16 I Gotta Feeling
17 Outro

DOWNLOAD Lil' Wayne - No Ceilings Mixtape here: | Usershare | Sendspace